1. Begin a class discussion by asking your students to think about
the work of a detective?what does a detective look for? Answers
will vary, but students should conclude that a detective seeks
evidence (clues) that might help to solve a mystery. Tell your
students that they'll be acting much like detectives in the next
few lessons. The mystery they'll be unraveling is that of a traditional
culture, very different from their own. Stress that although you'll
provide the clues, they'll have to solve the mystery on their
own.

2. Divide your class into four or five groups of equal size. Give
each group copies of Activity pages 1A and 1B. Direct your students
to Activity Page 1A. Ask them to carefully observe each object photograph. What does
the object appear to be? What is it made from? How might it have
been used? What does the object tell us about the people who made
it or the environment in which they lived? Have your students
write their observations either on the Activity Page or a separate
sheet of paper. Repeat the above procedure for each object photograph
on Activity Page 1B.

3. After your students have observed and interpreted all the object
photographs, designate a spokesperson for each group. For each
object photograph, direct the spokespeople to explain his/her
group's interpretation and briefly note it on the chalkboard.
(Some objects may be more difficult for students to interpret than
others, especially if your school is in a moderate climate region.) Generally, students will identify that a sled, a coat, a boat,
and socks are among the objects. Interpretations may vary, but
students should conclude that people of this culture lived in
a cold and wet climate, dwelled on or near the coast, were skilled
craftspeople and artists, and depended upon many different resources
(e.g. wood, animals, grass). (Be sure to use the Teacher Answer Key to confirm the identity of the objects and to evaluate student
observations.

4. Conclude the activity by telling your students that in the
next lesson they'll read a story that was very important to these
people. Stress that the story will contain a few more important
clues!